A mum-of-three who was fed up of her teenagers' messy habits has forced them to sign a 'cleaning contract'.
Katrina Neathey, 36, fines her kids £5 for every broken rule, which includes failing to make their bed in the morning and leaving litter on the floor.
The mum, who is a cleaner by trade, lost her patience when she found mud all over her £1,200 carpet following a £4,000 refurb on the family home.
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Ever since, the kids - 19-year-old Hayden, 18-year-old Joshua and 13-year-old Olivia - have been forced to abide by a 10-rule contract, which they even had to sign.
While the boys have to cough up a fiver for every broken rule, Olivia has her phone taken away for one day if she fails to comply.
"My kids are all teenagers so in my eyes they are all capable of keeping to simple rules," explained Katrina.
"I know the boys are only on apprenticeships and don't earn that much so they'll notice when £5 has gone out their pocket. When I first mentioned it to them they just thought it was hilarious.
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"But I thought the only way they will listen is if I fine the older boys with money as they work and for Olivia to lose her phone."
Katrina and husband Gareth, from Horsham in West Sussex, distributed contracts to the kids, explaining that while it might seem harsh "it's time they learn the hard way".
"When they started school they were really good because I encouraged them to put all their toys away in their rooms. [But] as they grew older and technology and phones came into play, they would just prioritise chatting to their mates [rather] than helping out with the housework," Katrina explained.
"Countless time I've told them I wasn't their slave but that was always short lived and they would hide things instead.
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"The worst was when I found a used chopping board in the wardrobe. I've also found other things like forks, bowls and milk bottles left to go off, all tucked away somewhere in the hope I wouldn't find them. Pizza boxes were great as they kindly left the crumbs for me to follow them."
Youngest son Josh has had three fines so far - which all occurred in one day, meanwhile Olivia has had her phone confiscated once and Hayden has had a fine for neglecting to make his bed.
"Gareth and I work hard to give them the best we can be as parents and sometimes it can become easy for them to take advantage of our generosity," she explained
"Part of growing up is learning to respect property and those you look after you. And I think the contract will help do that.
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"I'm really pleased with how it's going and it's making my life so much easier. I don't have to nag either which is great for everyone.
"I'm not looking for perfect bed making and things like that. It's just knowing that they are trying and for me to see evidence that they have respect for their rooms, new furniture and me."
Katrina - also known as @Twinklecleaningduo on Instagram - has even shared the kids' rules.
Olivia's contract:
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- No make-up in bedroom
- No eating in bedroom
- No juice or fizzy drink in bedroom - only water
- Make bed every day
- All clothes must be hung up or put away
- Put dirty washing in wash basket
- Keep room tidy
- Put your washing up from downstairs in the dishwasher (empty if full)
- Put shoes/trainers away
- Put bag away
Joshua and Hayden's contract:
- No eating in bedroom
- No juice or fizzy drink in bedroom - only water
- Make bed
- All clothes must be hung up or put away
- Put dirty washing in wash basket
- Keep room tidy
- Put your washing up from downstairs in the dishwasher (empty if full)
- Put shows/trainers away
- Put bag away
We just hope our partners don't impose this on us, we'd be skint!
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: Life News, Kids, Parenting